The members of the West Coast MTO Agreement (WCMTOA) Monday said the revised OffPeak program for providing extended gate hours at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach — informally known as PierPass 2.0 — is expected to start Nov. 19, subject to the conclusion of applicable Federal Maritime Commission procedures.
WCMTOA members operate 12 terminals in the two ports, the nation’s largest.
In the past, they charged a traffic mitigation fee during the daytime to shippers who had truckers pick up or deliver containers at their facilities in order to encourage use of the terminals at night and reduce traffic congestion in and around the port during the day. The fee was not charged at night.
PierPass said the changes to the OffPeak program are being made in response to requests
from port users seeking increased flexibility and a reduction in the
bunching up of trucks that often occurs before the start of the
nighttime OffPeak shifts.
There also have been shipper complaints about the growing amount of the traffic mitigation fee — currently $72.09 per TEU.
Under the new system, a flat fee of $31.52 per TEU or maximum of $63.04 for all containers will be charged.
“For most port users, the new system won’t require new procedures but rather an adjustment to current procedures. Most companies moving containers through the ports are already registered with PierPass to claim containers moved during peak (weekday daytime) hours. Under the revised system, they will claim containers moved at any hour,” said PierPass, which administers the program for WCMTOA.
“Because nine of the 12 terminals at the two adjacent ports already use appointment systems, most trucking firms serving the ports are already using these systems. The remaining three terminals, all operated by SSA Marine, are planning to launch their own appointment systems in advance of the implementation,” said PierPass. “As part of the program update, the terminals have also agreed on common appointment windows and common last appointment times for each shift. As the revised program moves forward, the terminals will consider further common rules and processes to enhance truck efficiency at the ports.”
Cargo owners moving containers into and out of the ports by truck gate and who aren’t already registered with PierPass can do so here.
A Q&A about the revised OffPeak program is available here.